Ever wished you could share the joy of travel by helping a friend or family member get closer to their dream vacation? Or perhaps you have a few American Airlines AAdvantage miles that are about to expire, and you want to ensure they don't go to waste? The good news is, American Airlines does offer a way to transfer your AAdvantage miles to someone else! While it's not always the most cost-effective option, it can be incredibly useful in specific situations.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, providing you with all the essential information, including fees, limitations, and key considerations. Let's dive in!
Understanding American Airlines AAdvantage Mile Transfers
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand a few fundamental aspects of transferring AAdvantage miles:
It's a transfer, not a merge: You're not combining your account with theirs. You're simply moving a specified number of miles from your AAdvantage account to another AAdvantage account.
Fees are involved: Unlike some other loyalty programs that allow free "pooling" of points (like JetBlue or United in certain cases), American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles. These fees can add up, so it's essential to weigh the cost against the benefit.
Miles are for redemption, not elite status: Miles you transfer to another account will count towards their ability to redeem for flights or upgrades, but they will not count towards their elite status qualification (Loyalty Points). Elite status is earned through flying or spending on co-branded credit cards.
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| How To Transfer American Airlines Points To Someone Else |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Share the Love (and the Miles)?
Before you even think about logging in, ask yourself: Is transferring miles truly the best option for my situation?
Consider booking the flight directly for them: Often, the most economical way to help someone use your miles is to simply book their award flight directly from your AAdvantage account. This bypasses all transfer fees. If you have enough miles for their desired flight, this is almost always the preferred method.
Is it worth the cost? As you'll see, transferring miles comes with fees. Calculate the value of the miles you're transferring versus the cost of the transfer. Sometimes, it might be cheaper to buy miles directly for the recipient (though this also comes with fees) or even for the recipient to purchase their own ticket.
Are the miles about to expire? If your miles are nearing their expiration date (AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity), transferring them can be a way to keep them active and put them to good use, even with the associated fees.
If you've considered these points and decided that transferring miles is still the best path for you, then let's proceed!
Step 2: Gather Your Essentials and Log In
This step is all about preparation. You'll need a few key pieces of information readily available.
Sub-heading: What You'll Need:
Your AAdvantage Account Details: Your AAdvantage number and password to log in.
Recipient's AAdvantage Account Details: The recipient's AAdvantage number and their last name. Make absolutely sure these are accurate to avoid any transfer errors.
A Valid Payment Method: You'll need a credit or debit card to pay the transfer fees.
Sub-heading: Logging into Your AAdvantage Account:
Navigate to the American Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to aa.com.
Log In: Click on the "Log in" or "AAdvantage" section, usually found in the top right corner of the homepage.
Enter Your Credentials: Input your AAdvantage number and password, then click "Log in."
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Step 3: Locating the Transfer Miles Option
Once you're logged into your AAdvantage account, you need to find the specific section dedicated to mile transfers.
Sub-heading: Navigating the AAdvantage Portal:
Look for "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles": On your AAdvantage account summary page, or in the main navigation menu, you should see a section or link titled "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" or something similar. This is your gateway.
Select "Transfer Miles": Within that section, you'll typically find options to "Buy Miles," "Gift Miles" (which means buying miles for someone), and "Transfer Miles." Be sure to select "Transfer Miles" for this process.
Step 4: Entering Recipient Information and Transfer Amount
This is where you specify who receives the miles and how many. Accuracy is key here!
Sub-heading: Inputting Recipient Details:
Enter Recipient's AAdvantage Number: Carefully type in the AAdvantage number of the person you wish to transfer miles to. Double-check every digit!
Enter Recipient's Last Name: Input their last name exactly as it appears on their AAdvantage account.
Confirm Recipient: The system may perform a quick check to ensure the AAdvantage number and last name match an existing account.
Sub-heading: Specifying the Transfer Quantity:
Choose the Number of Miles to Transfer: You will typically be prompted to select the amount of miles you want to transfer. American Airlines allows transfers in increments, often starting from 1,000 miles. There are usually minimum and maximum transfer limits per transaction and per calendar year.
Minimum Transfer: Generally, you can transfer a minimum of 1,000 miles.
Maximum Transfer: The maximum number of miles you can transfer in a single transaction or per calendar year can vary, but is often around 200,000 miles out of an account and 300,000 miles received into an account per calendar year. Always verify the current limits on the American Airlines website.
Step 5: Reviewing Fees and Confirming the Transfer
This is perhaps the most important step, as it involves understanding the cost of your transfer.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Cost:
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
Fee Calculation: American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles. Historically, this has been around $5 per 1,000 miles transferred, plus a processing fee. So, transferring 10,000 miles could cost you around $50, plus a transaction fee (this fee structure has seen changes in the past, so always confirm the exact current fees displayed on the American Airlines website before proceeding). The fee can also be expressed as a certain cent amount per mile (e.g., 0.5 cents per mile).
Review the Total Cost: The website will clearly display the total amount of miles you are transferring and the exact fee you will be charged. Take your time to review this thoroughly.
Consider the Value: Compare the cash cost of the transfer to the potential value of the award flight the recipient might book. Is the fee justified?
Sub-heading: Final Confirmation:
Acknowledge Terms and Conditions: You will likely need to agree to the terms and conditions of the mile transfer. Read these carefully, especially regarding the non-refundable nature of the transaction.
Proceed to Payment: Once you are satisfied with all the details and the associated fees, proceed to the payment section.
Step 6: Completing the Payment
This is the final step to initiate the transfer.
Sub-heading: Payment Process:
Enter Payment Information: Provide your credit or debit card details as requested.
Secure Transaction: Ensure you are on a secure page (look for "https://" in the URL and a padlock icon).
Submit Payment: Click the "Submit" or "Complete Transfer" button to finalize the transaction.
Sub-heading: What Happens Next:
Confirmation: You should receive an on-screen confirmation of your successful transfer.
Email Confirmation: An email confirmation will typically be sent to your registered email address, summarizing the transfer details.
Processing Time: Transferred miles usually appear in the recipient's account within 24-72 hours, though it can sometimes be quicker. In rare cases, it might take a few days.
Step 7: Verification and Follow-Up
A little follow-up can save a lot of headaches.
Sub-heading: Verifying the Transfer:
Recipient Check: Ask the recipient to log into their AAdvantage account after the expected processing time to confirm the miles have been credited.
Your Account Check: You can also check your own AAdvantage activity statement to see the deduction of the transferred miles.
Sub-heading: What if the Miles Don't Appear?:
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
If the miles don't appear within the expected timeframe, first re-verify that you entered the correct recipient AAdvantage number and last name.
Then, contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service with your transaction confirmation details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to help you navigate American Airlines AAdvantage mile transfers:
How to transfer AAdvantage miles to another person?
You can transfer AAdvantage miles directly through the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section on the American Airlines website by logging into your AAdvantage account and providing the recipient's AAdvantage number and last name.
How to know the fees for transferring AAdvantage miles?
The exact fees for transferring AAdvantage miles are displayed on the American Airlines website during the transfer process. They are typically calculated per 1,000 miles transferred, plus a processing fee.
How to gift AAdvantage miles to someone else?
Gifting AAdvantage miles usually refers to buying miles and having them deposited into someone else's account. This is different from transferring your existing miles. Both options are available on the American Airlines website under "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles."
How to know if there are any restrictions on transferring AAdvantage miles?
Yes, there are restrictions. You can generally transfer miles in increments of 1,000, with minimum and maximum limits per transaction and per calendar year. Transferred miles do not count towards elite status.
QuickTip: Note key words you want to remember.
How long does it take for transferred AAdvantage miles to appear in the recipient's account?
Transferred AAdvantage miles typically appear in the recipient's account within 24 to 72 hours, though they can sometimes post quicker.
How to combine my AAdvantage miles with someone else's?
You cannot "combine" or "pool" AAdvantage miles with another person's account for free. The only way to consolidate miles is by paying the transfer fee to move them from one account to another.
How to know the minimum number of AAdvantage miles I can transfer?
The minimum number of AAdvantage miles you can transfer is generally 1,000 miles per transaction.
How to know the maximum number of AAdvantage miles I can transfer?
The maximum number of AAdvantage miles you can transfer out of your account is typically 200,000 miles per calendar year, and an account can receive up to 300,000 miles per calendar year. These limits are subject to change by American Airlines.
How to know if transferred AAdvantage miles count towards elite status?
No, transferred AAdvantage miles do not count towards earning AAdvantage elite status (Loyalty Points). They are solely for award redemptions.
How to transfer AAdvantage miles to a different airline's loyalty program?
You cannot directly transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to a different airline's loyalty program (e.g., Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus). However, you can often redeem your AAdvantage miles for flights on American Airlines' partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance and other non-alliance partners directly through the American Airlines website.
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